Okay, let me start by saying this book is *fun*. I'm not some pro player, just someone who enjoys hustling friends at the local pool hall. But flipping through Byrne's trick shots? Suddenly I'm the guy setting up impossible-looking setups and blowing minds.

The diagrams are clutch – clear enough that even when I botched a shot (often), I could usually figure out where I went wrong. Loved how it's organized by difficulty too. Started with the 'easy' ones (still took me like 20 tries) and worked my way up to shots that made my regular playing partners accuse me of witchcraft.

Surprise bonus? Those little historical tidbits about famous hustlers and old-school shots. Makes you feel connected to the game's sneaky, show-offy legacy. Though fair warning – some setups had me squinting at the diagrams like 'wait, is THAT ball slightly to the left or...?'

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Even if you only nail a handful of these, it'll sharpen your understanding of spin, angles, and most importantly – how to make people at bars think you're a pool wizard.